Dear Students,
We hope you have settled into a routine and are enjoying this new academic year. It was exciting during orientation to watch our first years sign the Honor Code book. Acknowledging a life of honor, integrity and respect has been a hallmark of the Wellesley student experience.
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors missed the opportunity to sign the book due to Covid. You now have an opportunity to sign the book, and you are expected to acknowledge the new code of student conduct using Workday (first year students already did this as part of their checklist). You may do this by logging into your MyWellesley portal and click on the Workday logo in the upper right corner. Once logged into Workday, you will see an announcement on the right hand side. Click on the link in the announcement and in the Create Request box type “Code of Student Conduct.” Read through the language displayed on the form carefully and select one of the responses. This is our first year with the Workday model so let’s make history and get 100 percent of the classes signed.
COVID Update: As you know, we do not require that you inform the College, and therefore we do not have a record or count of how many COVID cases are on campus. That said, the two best defenses against COVID continue to be vaccination and masking. I strongly encourage all students to get the new COVID booster, which provides a defense against new variants. It is available at CVS and other pharmacies off-campus now, and we are working to bring a COVID vaccination clinic to campus. Stay tuned for more information coming soon. You can also wear a mask anytime on campus to protect yourself. Masks are available in Residential life offices and other locations on campus.
Health Services, provided on our campus by Newton Wellesley Medical Group, has provided the following information:
If you have symptoms, please mask right away and get tested. You can purchase rapid tests at a local pharmacy and test on your own. Alternatively, you can call Health Services to make an appointment for a PCR test and to get evaluated by a provider. Health Services does not have rapid tests to give out to students.
If you test positive on your own, you should follow the protocols outlined in the Keeping Wellesley Healthy website. If you have questions about these protocols, you can reach out to Health services. For any medical concerns, you can also reach out to speak with a nurse and/or make an appointment. Please do not walk in. If Health Services is closed, you can call the main number (781-283-2810 – Available 24/7) and tell the answering service you need to speak with a covering provider. Please make sure you have your phone on and able to receive calls so a provider can get back to you. Please only use the after hours line for medical questions and do not call regarding logistical questions or questions related to specific school protocols.
Dining with COVID: Students who test positive may go to pick up food in the dining halls but must wear a mask and may not eat in the dining hall. Ozzi containers are available for meals to go. Your initial reusable container may be signed out at Lulu 4th floor. Be sure to bring your Wellesley Student ID card. Used containers should be returned to the provided bin at Bates, Lulu or Tower. A coin will be issued and is required in order to redeem for a clean container. Students may also make their own to-go meal using their OZZI container. Sanitizing hands prior to entering the culinary center and wearing a mask is required.
If you find out you were exposed to COVID but have no symptoms, it is best to mask and test on day 6 after your exposure. You may go to class and participate in all activities. Just keep on your mask until you test and pay attention to any symptoms. If you test positive, please notify your faculty directly as you will miss classes or assignments because you must isolate for 5 days and mask for 5 additional days.
COVID and classes: As a general practice, faculty work with students who have covid but please understand a hybrid option will not be offered for classes. Faculty may offer to meet with students over zoom for office hours if that is their practice. Students will need to discuss how they can make up missed work, get additional support, etc with their individual professors. It is always a good practice to also ask classmates what you missed in class.
If you have a roommate who is positive, you both should wear masks when you are in the room. Keep the window open for ventilation. Follow all the usual precautions for bathroom use and self care. We are not able to move roommates to different spaces.
Please take some time to review these websites for more guidance on how to stay safe:
It is time to reboot the Student Life Advisory group for the Fall 2023. The SLAG (Student Life Advisory Group) meets a few times a semester with Dean Horton and Dean Montagna to talk about life on campus and discuss issues that might otherwise not get enough attention on campus, both in the positive and in the challenges. It’s rather informal but many find it helpful to sit together, listen, discuss as well as learn from one another. Please fill out this form if you are interested in joining.
Have a wonderful weekend and a productive week as we usher out summer and welcome in a grand New England autumn.
Sheilah Shaw Horton
Vice President and Dean of Students
